THE INDIAN.

ARGUMENT.

The

Paul Tonie, the Indian King, purposes to embark for distant shores. Nine tents or whigwhams strike and accompany him. The King's canoe, in which Edward is embarked, leads the van. squadron leaves the land with a favourable breeze, and on its way makes a successful attack upon a flock of Brante geese. The squadron set sail from the bay; the winds increase in fury; and at sunset the Indians, to avoid a violent storm, make the woods, and encamp for the night by a small brook at the foot of a mountain. Thunder-storm all night. The morning comes in fine; the tents are struck, and the Indians again proceed upon their voyage; are surprised at the appearance of a smoke issuing from the woods: an Indian halloo assures them of friends. They land, and set out through the woods in search of their countrymen.

THE INDIAN.

CANTO II.

As flights of fancy fire each free-born race,

So Indian minds oft love a change of place:
Th' aged King, with kind parental voice,
Reminds each man the freedom of his choice;
He for himself declares for distant isles,

Which Nature favours with indulgent smiles;
Where game abounds, where fruits profusely rise;
Where lib'ral Heav'n man's earlier wants supplies!
The King's resolves have no compulsive sway;
Some haste to go, and some there chuse to stay. 10

c2

Amidst the camp nine whigwhams strike for sea,

Where thoughts with thoughts on the same trip

agree.

The palace roof, in several rolls, is furl'd,

And to the waves the birch-canoe is hurl'd.

Close by its centre where the main-mast stands 15 Is plac'd the dog amidst some pots and pans; Three pliant roots the King's whole baggage bind, Which to the centre also is assign'd;

The narrow bow surrounds Susannah's waist,

And in her hands a slender paddle's plac'd.

A sprightly youth, who must the barge govern,

Upon the gunwales takes his seat astern;

A larger paddle his nervous arm applies,

And sheets and halliards to the bar he ties;

An Indian blanket, to a yard made fast,
Displays a sail upon an eight-foot mast;

Thro' ev'ry bar the lengthen'd eel's spear cas'd,

And near the youth th' unerring gun is plac'd;

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A powder-horn the savage shoulders bear;
And heavy shot-bags in each belt appear;
A water-keg, that holds a scant supply,
Is wisely fill'd, to serve the crew when dry.
Reclin'd on fur, young Edward sits with care,
In simple converse with the royal pair:

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Thus in a trice each ship's equipp'd for sea;
With sails all bent, the squadron's under weigh;
Fresh from the land springs up the whistling

breeze,

And from the fleet recede th' umbrageous trees.
Respect to age still savage Chieftains bore

On land a King, at sea a Commodore;

From his canoe, that led the royal van,

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A huntsman's horn announc'd each change of plan. The nine canoes the rising waves adorn,

In rear of each a regular line they form.

As the swift swallow on the main we find,
Whose gentle pinions leave the grosser kind;

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